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The Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Norman Lo, was elected today (September 9) Chairman of the Asia Pacific Air Navigation Planning and Implementation Regional Group (APANPIRG) at the group's annual meeting being held at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Asia and Pacific (APAC) Regional Office in Bangkok this week.
Under China's membership, Mr Lo is the first Hong Kong representative to be elected to chair this high-level ICAO regional group, which signifies international recognition of Hong Kong's leading position in the field of air navigation in the region.
The APANPIRG was established in 1991 under the auspices of the ICAO. Currently, it has a membership of 39 APAC states. Its meetings are also attended by international aviation-related organisations such as the International Air Transport Association, International Federation of Airline Pilots' Associations and the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Association as observers. The APANPIRG's mandates are to ensure continuous and coherent development and effective implementation of the Asia Pacific Regional Air Navigation Plan and oversee members' observance of international civil aviation safety, regularity and efficiency.
"I am very honoured to be elected to this important position. The future growth of the global economy also depends upon a robust and sustainable air transport sector. In Hong Kong we have just hit a record of handling an average 880 arrival and departure flights per day at the Hong Kong International Airport during the month of August 2010," said Mr Lo.
"In the region, the main challenge is to develop a seamless airspace environment to facilitate the continued growth of air traffic in a green, safe, and efficient manner. In parallel, I shall also make every effort to promote the development and implementation of new satellite air navigation systems in the Asia Pacific region during my chairmanship," Mr Lo added.
Mr Lo joined the Civil Aviation Department in 1977. He has a wide range of knowledge and experience in the aviation field. He is a professional pilot, a qualified air traffic controller and an inspector of air accidents. He obtained his Airline Transport Pilot's Licences on aeroplanes and helicopters. He also holds a Master of Aviation degree. Mr Lo was promoted to Assistant Director-General of Civil Aviation in 1997 and to Deputy Director-General of Civil Aviation in 2002. He was appointed Chief Inspector of Accidents and Director-General of Civil Aviation in April 2004.
Ends/Thursday, September 9, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:29
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